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22 Mar 2022

Guatemala: Documents reveal that Solway Group allegedly knew it was polluting Lake Izabal and has bribed local people and intimidated journalists

Olena Bolotova | Getty Images/iStockphoto

Leaked documents from inside the Solway Group were shared with 20 media agencies by Forbidden Stories, which led the investigation. These documents bring evidence supporting that Solway’s executives, despite publicly denying it, were aware that the mining company’s activities were responsible for polluting Lake Izabal with heavy metals.

The documents also revealed alleged financial contributions and exchanges of favours carried out in the affected communities with the aim of guaranteeing that the consultation process about the Fénix mine would result favourable to the company.

It is also reported that journalists and leaders who denounced the damage caused by the mine were harassed, surveilled, and their homes were raided.

We invited Solway Group to comment on the information brought by the documents and the company did so.

Company Responses

Solway Group View Response

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